The Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, today announced the member appointments to the Premier's Youth Advisory Committee, a unique forum which will advise government on youth-related programs and policies. Twenty-three young people from varied backgrounds, experiences and regional perspectives will form the committee.

"Shaping the future of Newfoundland and Labrador begins with listening to the hopes, dreams and aspirations of our young people. This committee will engage with Provincial Government departments, key organizations, and communities to enhance and foster youth perspectives. In selecting the committee, we decided to expand membership from our original plan of 15 individuals to 23, based on the high level of interest received and the impressive calibre of applicants. I thank the individuals who are joining the Youth Advisory Committee, and I look forward to hearing their opinions and advice on how we can build an even stronger province."- The Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

The Youth Advisory Committee features representatives with a wide range of regional perspectives and backgrounds as high school students, post-secondary students, and youth in the workforce.

Members are: Shane Pope of Peterview, Jane Cooze of Badger's Quay, Jennifer Bent of Conception Bay South, Aaron Chafe of Petty Harbour, Noubahar Hasnain of Mount Pearl, Andrew Cram of St. John's, Kelsi Fry of Labrador City, Britney Coleman of Port aux Basques, Raylene Mackey of Goulds, Donovan Taplin of Bell Island, Travis Perry of St. John's, Mallary McGrath of Branch, Danielle Arbour of Goulds, Donald Slaney of St. Lawrence, Emily J. Alexander of Corner Brook, Sabrina Andrews of Grand Falls-Windsor, Victoria Pittman of Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Eleri Moore of St. John's, Desiree Luedee of Stephenville Crossing, Stephanie Granville of St. John's, Jenna Andersen of Nain, Esteban Rivera of St. John's, and Colin Corcoran of St. John's. Biographies of all committee members can be found in the backgrounder below.

"Gathering input and feedback from young people - and designing new approaches to engage them - is essential for the long-term development of our communities, country, and our world. The women and men of the Youth Advisory Committee will share their valuable input and ideas with government and provide young people across the province with a voice to help them succeed."- The Honourable Steve Kent, Minister Responsible for the Office of Public Engagement

Along with continuing its support for youth, the Office of Public Engagement is helping to deliver the Provincial Government's Open Government Initiative, which is offering meaningful opportunities for the public to have input in decision-making and policy development. To learn more, please visit open.gov.nl.ca.

QUICK FACTS

Premier Paul Davis today announced member appointments to the Youth Advisory Committee, a unique forum which will advise government on youth-related programs and policies.

The committee will engage with young people, Provincial Government departments, and communities to enhance youth perspectives across Newfoundland and Labrador.

Twenty-three young people from varied backgrounds, experiences and regional perspectives will form the committee.

Young people are invited to join in the conversation with government through NLYouth.ca and Twitter, @OPE_GovNL.

Shane Pope, Peterview
Shane Pope is a Level 3 student at Botwood Collegiate. He is currently employed with the Boys and Girls Club of Botwood as a Student Child and Youth Worker, and serves on the Community Advisory Committee of Central Health NL for the Exploits Region.

Jane Cooze, Badger's Quay
Jane Cooze is a Level 3 student at Pearson Academy in Badger's Quay. She has been Student Council President, a local tour guide, and has been a recipient of numerous athletic awards.

Jennifer Bent, Conception Bay South
Jennifer Bent is a Level 3 student at Gonzaga High School, where she is Vice President of the Student Council. Ms. Bent has worked as a camp counsellor, soccer instructor, and currently oversees Gonzaga's Mental Health Coalition.

Aaron Chafe, Petty Harbour
Aaron Chafe is completing Level 2 French Immersion at St. Kevin's High School. He has worked as a tourist guide in the Town of Petty Harbour-Maddox Cove, and is currently serving on St. Kevin's Student Council.

Noubahar Hasnain, Mount Pearl
Noubahar Hasnain is a Level 2 student at Mount Pearl Senior High School where she is Chair of the Intermediate Causes for Concern Group, Co-Chair of the Environmental and Animal Rights Group, and Chair of the Mount Pearl Youth Action Team.

Andrew Cram, St. John's
Andrew Cram is currently completing Level 2 of the International Baccalaureate program at Holy Heart High School, where he leads the Gender and Sexuality Alliance. Mr. Cram has also volunteered with the Special Olympics and Mount Pearl Crime Prevention.

Kelsi Fry, Labrador City
Kelsi Fry is a Grade 10 student at Menihek High School. She has taught curling to children at the Carol Curling Club, and has volunteered with the Labrador West Minor Soccer Association.

Brittney Coleman, Port aux Basques
Currently in Grade 11 at St. James Regional High School, Brittney Coleman has used her passion to help others by working with the Girl Guides of Canada and helping her high school build a safer, healthier environment through presentations on bullying.

Raylene Mackey, Goulds
Raylene Mackey is currently studying Political Science and French at Memorial University. She works as a page in the House of Assembly, and as an Assistant Events/Marketing Coordinator at Milestone Promotions. Previously Miss Teen Newfoundland and Labrador, Ms. Mackey is an active volunteer in over 10 organizations.

Donovan Taplin, Bell Island
Donovan Taplin is currently completing a Bachelor of Arts at Memorial University. He is a councillor with the Town of Wabana, where he works closely with local stakeholders and Provincial Government officials. Mr. Taplin has served as a youth ambassador for the Atlantic Council for International Cooperation, and has been a guest speaker across Eastern Canada encouraging youth to think globally and act locally.

Travis Perry, St. John's
Travis Perry is currently completing a Bachelor of Arts at Memorial University while Chairing the Canadian Federation of Students - a role in which he is accountable to more than 28,000 public post-secondary students in Newfoundland and Labrador. Mr. Perry has previously worked as the Director of Finance and Services at the Memorial University Students' Union.

Mallary McGrath, Branch
Mallary McGrath is currently completing a Bachelor of Social Work at the University of Victoria by distance, and holds a B.A. in English Language and Literature and Newfoundland Studies from Memorial University. Ms. McGrath works as a part-time Respite Care Worker at Home Sweet Home Care Agency, and has volunteered as a town councillor in the Town of Branch since 2011.

Danielle Arbour, Goulds
Danielle Arbour is currently enrolled in the Comprehensive Arts & Science Program at the College of the North Atlantic, and intends to apply to the Centre for Nursing Studies upon completion. Ms. Arbour has volunteered with the Easter Seals Volunteer Wheelchair Basketball Program and as an Easter Seals Ambassador.

Donald Slaney, St. Lawrence
Donald Slaney is currently enrolled in the Business Administration Program at the College of the North Atlantic. He is the President and Founder of MADD Burin Peninsula and a board member and active volunteer with the St. Lawrence Community Youth Network.

Emily J. Alexander, Corner Brook
Emily Alexander is currently completing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology at Grenfell Campus, where she works as a Student Library Assistant. Ms. Alexander is a coach for the Aboriginal Sport and Recreation Circle of Newfoundland and Labrador, has served on the National Youth Advisory Committee for the RCMP, and is the recipient of the 2014 Bay St. George Chamber of Commerce Scholarship.

Sabrina Andrews, Grand Falls-Windsor
Sabrina Andrews is currently completing a B.A. in French and Political Science at Memorial University. She has worked as an usher at the Gordon Pinsent Centre of the Arts since 2010, and has taught music at Acadia and through participation in the cadets. Ms. Andrews was an awards recipient at the 2013 URock Awards, and was named Grand Fall-Windsor Youth of the Year in 2010 and 2013.

Victoria Pittman, Happy Valley-Goose Bay
Victoria Pittman is currently enrolled at the College of the North Atlantic completing the Electrical Program. She has been a volunteer with Young Cancer Canada since 2009, and is currently Vice-President of the CNA Students' Union and President of the CNA Student Council.

Eleri Moore, St. John's
Eleri Moore holds a degree in Business Administration and Arts from Memorial University. Ms. Moore is a young mother and a French-speaking Newfoundlander and Labradorian. She is currently the Vice President of Young Workers for the NL Federation of Workers, as well as a Citizens Benefits Officer for the Federal Government.

Desiree Luedee, Stephenville Crossing
Desiree Luedee has worked as a Registered Nurse for five years, having graduated from the Nursing Program at St.FrancisXavierUniversity in 2009. Ms. Luedee has worked to actively promote, preserve, and protect the Mi'kmaq Culture of the Qalipu Mi'kmaq First Nations Band, and is the Youth Representative of the Qalipu Cultural Foundation.

Stephanie Granville, St. John's
Stephanie Granville holds a Bachelor of Education and a Master of Science (Chemistry) from the University of Ottawa, where she was awarded a professional training scholarship as well as the Excellence Scholarship, the Dean's Scholarship in Science and Engineering, and the Research Council of Canada Grad Scholarship. Ms. Granville has worked as an Adult Basic Education Instructor at Academy Canada and is currently a tutor with Achieva Educational Services.

Jenna Andersen, Nain
Jenna Andersen is a Parks Canada Promotions Officer for Torngat Mountains National Park. She holds a double major in Outdoor Recreation, Parks and Tourism and a Bachelor of Science and Northern Studies from Lakehead University, is a member of the Rising Youth Council of the Nunatsiavut Government and helped to organize the 2010 Labrador Winter Games.

Esteban Rivera, St. John's
Esteban Rivera is Projects Coordinator for the Refugee and Immigrant Advisory Council, and Chair of the Rotary Club Services Committee. Mr. Rivera holds a B.A. in Philosophy from Memorial University and came to Newfoundland and Labrador in 2002 as a Colombian refugee.

Colin Corcoran, St. John's
Colin Corcoran is currently Director of Finance and Administration at Choices for Youth, as well as a Newfoundland and Labrador Director for 21 Inc. Mr. Corcoran has worked as a Senior Policy Analyst for the Intergovernmental Aboriginal Affairs Secretariat and holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Memorial University as well as a Graduate Certificate in Risk Management from the Shulich School of Business.